It pains her to admit it, but Richard Carlisle is right. Mary and Matthew are too close. She may not like her daughter's fiancé, but it will be in everyone's interests for them to spend time together before their wedding.
"How's Matthew?" Cora begins tentatively. She is treated to a withering look. Her eldest daughter has always been able to expertly turn their exchanges into an exasperating battle of wits and wills. Yet at some point in the last few years her intelligent, spirited girl has been transformed into the cold, cynical woman before her.
"Well, he's not getting any better, if that's what you mean."
"Darling," she begins slowly, determined to make Mary understand the right thing to do, "I think it's wonderful that you're spending so much time with Matthew - we all do - but...well, don't you think you're rather neglecting Richard?"
"Matthew needs me." It is stated as a plain, indisputable fact.
"I agree he needs someone to care for him," she replies gently, "but you are engaged."
"So what are you suggesting?" She sees the wide-eyed shock and outrage in her daughter's eyes. "We hire a nurse? Or, tell me, has Edith volunteered, because Matthew would rather-"
"Mary!" She raises her voice to cut off the angry outburst. "You are engaged to someone else. People will start to wonder..."
A disdainful roll of the eyes. "Oh for heaven's sake, this is Matthew we're talking about. What are you suggesting he would - he could - possibly do?"
"Nevertheless," she adopts the same matter-of-fact tone she had when Mary was a child, "it is usual to spend time with someone before you marry."
"Don't worry, Mama. I fully intend to marry Sir Richard. At least then I'll no longer present a problem to you..."
"Mary-"
"...Now if I were you, I would turn your attention to Matthew. You could hide him away with a nurse, even get the entail changed now that..." She is unable to finish the sentence. Cora can hear the emotion in her daughter's voice - if it were anyone else, there would be tears by now.
"Darling-" She reaches a hand across to her, but Mary is already standing up and composing herself. She watches helplessly as her daughter leaves the room.
She closes her eyes in despair. Mary is clearly still in love with Matthew. But wouldn't a marriage to Richard be better for Mary? Is it worth risking scandal for a lifetime spent nursing the man she loves?
She already knows the answer. Richard's plan is the right thing for both Mary and Matthew. Why then is she dreading Lavinia's return?
"Of course I still love Matthew."
"And I believe he still loves you," he replies softly and slowly, registering the glimmer of hope in Lavinia's expression. "Surely-" he pauses, to make sure his next words are properly emphasised "-love, true love, won't let anything get in its way."
"But Sir Richard, the last time I saw Matthew, he sent me away. He said he didn't want to ruin my life."
"I'm sure that's very noble of him. I would expect no less. But-" he peers at her carefully "-is it what you want? Is it truly in Matthew's best interests?"
This will be the deciding factor - what is best for her beloved Matthew. Having provided a problem, he now provides the solution. "I can take you to see Matthew on Saturday."
"But Lord and Lady Grantham-"
"-they are expecting you," he quickly cuts off the objection, returning her attention once again to her beloved. She is clearly used to someone else deciding what is best for her; so he takes charge and tells her what to do."Tell him you mean to look after him. Don't let him send you away again."
In the end, it is far too easy.
The Countess springs into action when they arrive - any remaining doubts are quashed by her warm, effusive welcome. He relaxes and watches with interest and admiration as Lavinia and Matthew are adroitly paired up in the Library. She studiously avoids his approving smile. Her eyes are instead locked nervously on her husband as he sits back down with a muttered "I think I've rather lost my appetite for polite conversation."
Richard follows Mary as the rest of the family filter out the room, leaving Lady Grantham to the undoubted ire of her husband.
Robert is still brooding; he hasn't spoken to her since their heated exchange after dinner. He had stayed in the dining room nursing his brandy and wounded pride. Now he is in bed with his back to her, clearly not reading the book in front of him. She wraps her arm round his shoulders in an attempt to placate him. She is surprised when he stiffens but doesn't respond. She makes her intentions clearer with a firm kiss to the back of his neck. The book finally snaps shut and he turns round.
"I don't know what makes me more angry," his voice seems to rise with every syllable, "the way you colluded with Carlisle to bring Lavinia back, or the fact you did it in such an underhand way. Do you really have so little regard for me that you would embarrass me like that at dinner?"
"That was never my intention. I didn't expect Richard to just burst in like that." She sits up in bed, having unconsciously backed away from him. "But the fact is Mary shouldn't be spending that much time with Matthew when she is engaged to someone else."
"Mathew is family, Cora." She turns her head away, rolling her eyes at his naivety. Mary's relationship with Matthew is much more complicated than mere family. "And surely you can't deny the man company after everything that's happened."
"Of course not, darling. But why can't that be with his fiancée? So Mary can spend time with hers."
"It still doesn't justify the way you callously separated them."
She leans back against the headboard, pressing her eyes shut. She tries to keep her tone light and reasonable, ignoring the vitriol. "Robert, she can't marry Matthew, not-" she just stops herself from using the word 'lame' "-when she's already turned him down once."
"I don't understand why she is marrying Carlisle in the first place," he grumbles, his voice at last dropping to a more reasonable volume.
"I'm sure Mary has her reasons," she replies wearily.
He doesn't say any more, just turns the light out with a grunt and turns away from her. They lie in uncomfortable silence. She knows he is still cross with her, yet there seems nothing more she can say or do. Their argument is a near repeat of the conversation with Mary. She is reminded once again just how alike her daughter and husband are - fierce loyalty and quick-temper blind them to the long-term, practical reality of a situation. Richard Carlisle is surely in a better position to provide for and protect Mary. As she drifts to sleep, she convinces herself that Robert will have calmed down by morning...She stirs when the mattress moves next to her; she opens her eyes to see her husband's back as he leaves her for his dressing room.
Richard is satisfied. With Lavinia successfully occupying Matthew, Mary belongs to him. Given time, his stubborn, wilful fiancée will come to love him. He strolls to the Library to offer the Countess his thanks and share his delight.
"Sir Richard." She rises from her desk to meet him, yet there is no welcoming smile. He is granted a brief look of disdain before her attention turns to a spot on the carpet.
"Lady Grantham - Cora...", he falters. Neither address seems quite right, and he realises the gratitude he had come to offer will be dreadfully inappropriate. He recalls the shock on the Earl's face last night, followed by a wholly unconvincing welcome. Judging from her pained expression this morning, his wife has clearly borne the brunt of his anger.
"I'm sorry if last night caused any difficulties," he begins slowly. He is genuinely sympathetic; while she has done the only sensible thing, her husband would rather Mary were nursing a helpless invalid.
She looks up in alarm, and he realises his sympathy is equally inappropriate. The right thing to do would have been to exercise discretion and to have at least pretended that he hadn't heard the Earl's voice last night.
"Cora." He takes a small step towards her, finally sure what to say. "I do mean to make Mary happy. I will be a good husband to her," he says softly.
"Of course," she nods, but her voice is flat and unconvinced.
"I've completed the purchase of Haxby," he continues with growing confidence, "and I'm sure you already know I've asked Carson..."
He sees a bemused smirk form on her lips and snaps before he has a chance to check his anger: "I don't see how that's so funny."
She is looking at him now - studying him uncomfortably as if really noticing him for the first time. Finally:
"I'm sorry, Sir Richard." The impassive mask returns. He is being dismissed. "I need to prepare for the Armistice celebrations. Please excuse me."
"Without sharing the joke?"
She hesitates for a moment in the doorway, clearly deciding how much to disclose. "I was just " - she carefully searches for the right words - "reminded of someone."
A brusque nod and he is left alone. He stands still for a moment, taking calming breaths while transforming his anger and confusion into coherent thought. He glances round; the Library still has signs of her presence - the lingering smell of perfume, the ornate fountain pen, the neatly-piled forms with her cursive script and signature. As he looks round the room, his anger is replaced by a blend of curiosity and admiration. This woman is a superb hostess and socialite, someone at ease in this world of titles and unwritten rules. With his direction, she can be relied upon to do the right thing.
Cora Crawley would make a good ally.
But there is so much he doesn't know about her - so much to find out.
As he leaves the Library, his mood is almost cheerful. Future visits to Downton will be enriched by more than Mary's company.
A/N: I have an assignment for 9th March, but I will try to post a new chapter (Disappointment) soon afterwards - concentrating (if I can get to grips with them) mainly on Cora/Robert. The next few chapters will still loosely follow S2, but will steadily become more and more AU. I am very excited by the direction this fic is going - I plan a big surprise (for the reader and the characters) in Chapter 7!
Oh...and I will try to update every week from now on. Promise!